You Might Be Surprised by the Benefits You Receive
When You Volunteer to Help Others
Contributed by Florida Parenting News' Teen Correspondent, Stephanie Azripe
Many students are required to have a certain number of hours logged for volunteer work in order to graduate or continue to participate in a club at school. It is unfortunate that it can be hard to actually like what you are doing to earn these hours. The following are some tips you may find helpful to get you or your child more motivated to get involved with volunteering.
One obvious point that is easy to miss is that volunteer work should involve something you enjoy! It wouldn’t make sense for someone with pet allergies, for example, to volunteer her time at a dog shelter. Just imagine the misery! Likewise, a dog lover at a plant nursery would not make much sense either. If you like what you’re doing, chances are that you will stick to it.
Helping others out can really boost a mood. When I’m volunteering, I tend to forget about my own problems and really focus on how I can help improve someone else’s day. It gives me the feeling of “lifting a burden.” I leave feeling much happier and more accomplished.
As cliché as it may sound, volunteering can really make an impact on someone else’s life, whether you will ever be immediately aware of the fact. While you may have a simple, warm feeling after helping out at a family shelter, your help may have completely made one family’s day. Your action of selflessness affected each and every member of that family, and possibly those around them as well.
Using your skills to teach others will provide them with valuable information to use for the rest of their lives. Reading to the illiterate is a perfect example. Those you read to will be able to utilize reading tools and skills and incorporate them into everything they do. Applying your skills and taking the time to help someone out is an amazing investment.
Getting involved doesn’t have to be unpleasant, or even obligatory. Do something you will enjoy, and know that any donation of your time is totally worth your efforts.
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